I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 200

On the morning of the 18th, at DM Productions in Seoul.

The time was 9:30 AM. DM Productions, the company producing writer Choi Nana’s new drama, ‘The Beneficial Evil,’ was buzzing. As a new production company, all the team members in the office seemed incredibly busy. Passing by them, the figures inside a noticeable medium-sized conference room were also in the middle of a meeting.

No, rather than a meeting, the atmosphere was so heavy it felt like a life-or-death situation.

About five people were seated around a U-shaped table. Among them, the one sitting at the head was PD [Production Director] Song Man-woo, who looked gaunt, as if he had lost weight. It seemed he had been frequently pulling all-nighters preparing for ‘The Beneficial Evil.’

“Hmm-”

He was looking down at a transparent file, his forehead covered by his hand. The people seated on either side of PD Song Man-woo were key staff members, besides the production manager and the caddy. On the whiteboard behind them were the names of numerous actors.

The only name marked ‘OK’ was Kang Woo-jin’s.

It was then.

“PD-nim, how about we start at six thousand?”

The caddy, who was also looking down at a transparent file, opened the discussion. Upon closer inspection, the transparent files they were looking at contained data about Kang Woo-jin’s pay. Well, it was a natural progression. Since they had received the OK for him to be the main male lead in ‘The Beneficial Evil,’ they now had to negotiate the practical aspects and finalize the deal.

Drama production was always a series of hurdles.

Soon, PD Song Man-woo, who had been slowly shaking his head, answered seriously.

“In this situation, don’t suggest starting points. It’s still just that Woo-jin said he’d do it. It’s still a delicate situation.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“It’s not like we’re new to drama production. How many times have actors said they’d do it and then backed out?”

Here, the production manager sitting on the right chimed in.

“Still, Woo-jin-ssi worked with you on ‘Profiler Han Ryang,’ right? In a way, that work is what made Kang Woo-jin who he is today. I don’t think he’d just go back on his word, considering that connection.”

“Of course, Woo-jin-ssi isn’t the type to change his mind lightly. He’s quite cynical in general. However, what I’m saying is that we shouldn’t be complacent just because of that connection.”

“Ah.”

“Moreover, Woo-jin-ssi is very sharp when it comes to practical matters, and he knows his own worth very well. He probably already has a certain pay standard in mind.”

At that moment, the past flashed through PD Song Man-woo’s mind.

‘Back then, even when he was a complete rookie with nothing, he didn’t hesitate to negotiate his value.’

It was when they were finalizing Kang Woo-jin’s appearance in ‘Profiler Han Ryang.’

“So, what I’m saying is that we shouldn’t do things half-heartedly or roughly. Plus, there’s the reputation of our new DM Productions. It’s our first project, so we need to establish an image of having solid financial backing.”

PD Song Man-woo, who had been muttering, tapped the transparent file he was holding.

“Instead of this, tell me your honest thoughts, not from the production company’s perspective.”

The production manager was quick to answer.

“To be honest, Woo-jin-ssi’s pay was around six thousand per episode before he went to the US.”

“And?”

“It seems to have increased a lot in just about ten days. The biggest reason is that he joined Director Ahn Ga-bok’s project as the lead. And the fact that he’s likely to sweep awards at the upcoming year-end ceremonies.”

“There’s also the issue of him saving Hwa-rin-ssi. Woo-jin-ssi’s ‘martial arts’ skills are also a significant plus for our project.”

“Yes. If we consider the buzz from ‘Our Table,’ and all the minor things besides the Miley Cara issue… I don’t know. Looking at it now, we should consider at least seven thousand per episode, shouldn’t we?”

Seven thousand per episode. Woo-jin’s pay had skyrocketed in just ten days. But this wasn’t a misjudgment. It was certain that Kang Woo-jin had achieved those results.

At this point, PD Song Man-woo, who had been stroking his beard, added another reason.

“…Hmm, additionally, we need to add a premium for the hardship of being the male lead who will carry ‘The Beneficial Evil.’ Woo-jin-ssi would have factored all of that into his calculations.”

Whatever it was, it was a maximum of over seven thousand. Suddenly, PD Song Man-woo let out a hollow laugh.

‘It feels like yesterday when I negotiated 350 per episode for Han Ryang, and now we’re talking about six or seven thousand—I’ve been directing for decades, and this is a first.’

After being lost in thought for a while, PD Song Man-woo, having finished his thoughts, muttered to the key staff.

“Okay, maximum 7500. Let’s try to secure him with that, no matter what.”

About an hour later. Near Sinsa Station, a large recording studio.

It was a recording studio that felt different from a typical one. First of all, it was quite large. There were many microphones, a booth that could easily fit at least 10 people, and the equipment for controlling the recording was also quite large. There were also many waiting sofas and chairs to watch the recording.

Wasn’t it at least three times larger than a typical recording studio?

That wasn’t all.

The various instruments and albums attached to the walls made the recording studio’s interior look luxurious. In various parts of the recording studio, a dozen or so people were moving busily. A familiar-looking PD was leading the charge.

“Install more cameras inside the vocal recording booth than near the equipment!”

“Understood! Should we put them on the ceiling too?”

“Yes, on the ceiling too. Front, side, back, top, right in front of the microphone. Everywhere.”

“Confirmed!”

“PD-nim! How many chairs should we set up?!”

“Ah- hmm, well, there are at least 10 of our people, and I don’t know how many will come from their side… Just in case, set up about 20! That should be enough with the sofas.”

“Yes!”

The PD and the others were all part of the ‘Kang Woo-jin Sub-Character’ channel team. As the channel had grown so much, the number of staff had also increased significantly. They had recently moved their office to a larger space.

For reference, the ‘Kang Woo-jin Sub-Character’ channel was:

[Channel Name: Kang Woo-jin Sub-Character]

[8.33 Million Subscribers]

[33 Videos]

It had recently surpassed 8 million subscribers. Although video uploads had been slightly slower due to the US schedule, the subscribers had been steadily increasing thanks to the issues that had broken out in the meantime.

Of course, the ‘Kang Woo-jin Sub-Character’ channel had even more potential.

Why?

Because in about an hour, the ‘Kang Woo-jin Sub-Character’ channel would start filming with Miley Cara in this recording studio. A project that only the ‘Kang Woo-jin Sub-Character’ channel was doing among the many YouTube channels in Korea.

The anticipation was already high both domestically and internationally.

That’s why the staff setting up for the shoot were moving their hands busily, with faces that seemed to be asking if this was a dream or reality.

“This is crazy… Is Miley Cara really coming here?? I’m a huge fan.”

“Me too. I’ve watched all of Cara’s movies and listened to all her songs… I never thought I’d see her in person.”

“I’m going to bow to Woo-jin-nim. He let me see Miley Cara within a month of joining the company.”

“Totally! The ‘Kang Woo-jin Sub-Character’ channel is really amazing, its impact and everything is almost overwhelming!”

“It’s because that global superstar Cara specifically chose it, so it speaks volumes.”

“Kang Woo-jin-nim is really… no, should I call him CEO? Anyway, isn’t he amazing? And he’s even an actor by profession!”

The male and female staff were all losing their sense of reality at the thought of seeing Hollywood star Miley Cara. Of course, there were quite a few people who had recently joined and were seeing Kang Woo-jin for the first time.

“Ha- Anyway, I’m really, really excited for today!”

At this time.

Kang Woo-jin had just gotten out of a van parked in the recording studio’s parking lot.

-Thump!

He had full makeup on, his hair was neatly styled, and he was wearing a thick knit sweater and jeans. Of course, his expression was firm.

“…”

But somehow, he seemed even more committed than his usual concept. The reason was simple.

-Swish.

Next to Kang Woo-jin was the ‘Kang Woo-jin Sub-Character’ channel’s camera. It was a VJ [Video Journalist] filming every moment. It was a large-scale shoot, so it was natural. It felt a bit like a variety show shoot. Therefore, Woo-jin’s poker face couldn’t possibly keep his heart calm.

Not only was it a shoot, but the guest was none other than Miley Cara.

‘Crazy, now I’m even working with a top Hollywood actor?? Wow—this is insane.’

In fact, when he received the message from Choi Sung-gun, Kang Woo-jin was flustered but somewhat composed. Although he didn’t know the exact reason, it was likely because he was in Hollywood at the time.

But now that the shoot was right in front of him, he was extremely nervous.

It was like meeting an alien?

Kang Woo-jin tried his best to calm himself and started walking. He didn’t say a word. The VJ, who seemed to have already prepared for this, simply followed Woo-jin.

On the other hand, the team following Kang Woo-jin was in a frenzy.

First of all, the stylists were very excited.

“Oh my—is Woo-jin oppa [an affectionate term for older brother or male friend] going to eat a meal? Why is he so calm??”

“Right? Honestly, I thought there would be some change in his expression since it’s Miley Cara!”

“I see it every time, but it’s so amazing.”

Han Ye-jeong, who had been promoted to head stylist, was visibly nervous, unlike her usual cold demeanor. Choi Sung-gun, with his ponytail, noticed this.

“Ye-jeong, why haven’t you said a word since earlier?”

“…CEO, I think I’m going to throw up.”

“Huh?”

“I’m a huge fan of Miley Cara—her acting and singing are insane, and Cara is also known for her fashion.”

“Ah, I think I’ve heard of that.”

Jang Su-hwan, who was also large, was the same. Anyway, Kang Woo-jin and his team entered the recording studio. Soon, big greetings were exchanged. Among them, the main PD approached Kang Woo-jin.

“Hahaha, you’re here? The camera setup inside the studio is finished. Please check it and let me know if anything is missing.”

“Ah- yes.”

Kang Woo-jin roughly scanned the vast recording studio. He barely looked at it. It was then.

-♬♪

Choi Sung-gun’s phone, who was about to sit on a waiting chair behind the recording equipment, rang. It was a call from a staff member waiting on the first floor.

“Uh-huh, ah- okay.”

After finishing the call, he said to Woo-jin.

“Miley Cara is coming up.”

Before Kang Woo-jin could react, the dozen or so staff members around him were already in an uproar. Murmuring, whispering. About three minutes later.

-Swish.

The glass door of the recording studio opened, and large foreigners entered first. They were clearly guards, and right behind them, a blonde woman appeared. It was Miley Cara, a global superstar.

As a result, the ‘Kang Woo-jin Sub-Character’ team and others froze. They could only follow Miley Cara, who had appeared with a pleasant fragrance, with their eyes. Cara was wearing a khaki short padded jacket to match the Korean winter weather, and her blue eyes turned to the man standing in the center of the recording studio.

‘That’s the man, Kang Woo-jin.’

Judging by his appearance and aura, it was clear that he was Kang Woo-jin. Therefore, Cara immediately approached Woo-jin. A faint smile, an extended handshake, opening lips. Cara spoke in her unique, cool voice.

“Kang Woo-jin-ssi? Nice to meet you. I’m Miley Cara.”

At her voice, Woo-jin’s staff around her let out silent exclamations of excitement. There was no sound, but they were taking actions like covering their mouths. On the other hand, Kang Woo-jin shook Cara’s hand and gave a cynical greeting. In English, of course.

“Hello, I’m Kang Woo-jin.”

At the same time, Kang Woo-jin checked Cara’s team behind her. There were about a dozen of them, all foreigners, and judging by the people holding cameras, it seemed that Cara also had a filming team. It was understandable. Kang Woo-jin had 8 million subscribers, but Miley Cara’s official YouTube channel had over 70 million subscribers. For reference, her SNS followers were 100 million.

That’s right, she was practically an alien.

“Wow—you speak English very well.”

Kang Woo-jin looked at Cara’s blue eyes right in front of him.

‘An alien is talking? So cool.’

He had to pull himself together.

“Just enough to communicate.”

“Hmm? No? I saw the English covers in your YouTube videos and had some expectations, but seeing you in person, it’s even better?”

“Thank you.”

“I was really looking forward to it, thank you for covering my song.”

“It’s a masterpiece, after all. The honor was all mine.”

“Hmm—that’s a very calm lip service? Ah, I also watched the drama you were in. I didn’t watch all of it, but it was impressive.”

“Is that so? I’ve also watched many of the movies you’ve been in. Even before I became an actor.”

“Really? By the way, is it really only been a year since you became an actor?”

“Yes.”

It was a natural flow, as if two Americans were greeting each other. Of course, both Cara’s and Kang Woo-jin’s filming teams had their cameras on, and Miley Cara scanned Kang Woo-jin right in front of her while taking off her padded jacket.

‘He’s several times better in person, and he’s quieter than I thought. He’s completely different from the acting roles I’ve seen? How can he have such explosive power when his tension is so low? And was it really only a year since his debut??’

Then, she suddenly asked Kang Woo-jin.

“…Do you happen to know someone named Joseph Felton?”

Yes, I know him. He was a producer who gave me his business card in Hollywood. I don’t know why that name came out of her mouth, but Woo-jin had to hide everything about ‘Last Kill 3,’ so he denied it.

“No, it’s the first time I’ve heard of him. Why do you ask?”

Cara, who had tucked her blonde hair behind her ear, shook her head.

“It’s nothing if you don’t know him, I was just asking in case.”

“I see.”

Soon, Woo-jin handed Cara the tablet he had received from the ‘Kang Woo-jin Sub-Character’ channel’s PD.

“I should explain today’s filming schedule first.”

He briefed the entire schedule in fluent English. Cara, as well as her half-shaved manager and her entire team, listened attentively. To summarize briefly, the duet vocals would be filmed in this recording studio, and the rest of the content, such as talks and cooking, would have to be moved to another rented studio.

Cara’s understanding was quick since she had already been informed to some extent.

“Okay, so for the duet song, are we doing ‘Absolute,’ the one you covered?”

“That’s right.”

Cara’s chest-length blonde hair swayed. She nodded.

“Okay. Woo-jin-ssi’s cover was ‘Absolute’ with the lyrics changed to Korean, so what are we doing this time? English? Korean?”

“I’m fine with either.”

Cara, who had been looking at Kang Woo-jin, talked with her team for a moment, then met Woo-jin’s blue eyes again.

“Before the duet, I want to hear Woo-jin-ssi sing ‘Absolute’ solo.”

It was a slightly cold tone, but it was firm.

“If possible, with the Korean lyrics that were in the cover video. There’s a big difference between the video and hearing it live, so let’s listen to it first and then match the feel of the duet.”

Kang Woo-jin nodded casually.

“Okay.”

Soon, some of Cara’s foreign team members sat in front of the recording equipment.

“Wow, I didn’t expect to be producing in Korea.”

“Haha, me neither.”

“But is that Korean actor a good singer? I haven’t seen the cover video.”

“Well, I haven’t heard much either. But he covered Cara’s song quite well. I thought he was pretty good.”

“Oh- really?”

Behind them, Miley Cara stood. Kang Woo-jin talked with Choi Sung-gun and the PD for a while, then moved to the recording booth.

Woo-jin, standing in front of the microphone, put on his headphones.

Cara, who was watching him quietly from outside the booth, let out a faint exclamation of admiration without realizing it. Of course, the person she was talking to was her half-shaved manager right next to her.

“He’s handsome, and the way he has a subtly rough feel makes him even more eye-catching.”

“Cara. You can say that later. There are a lot of people listening.”

“So what? You have to say how you feel when you feel it, to feel refreshed.”

“…Okay. Anyway, with that face and the vocal skills to cover your songs adequately, he must be popular.”

At that moment.

-♬♪

The intro to ‘Absolute,’ one of Miley Cara’s hit songs, spread through the recording studio. It started with an intense drum. Gradually, the violin mixed in. Then it stopped abruptly and the drum slowly sounded again.

In the intro, Kang Woo-jin’s vocals began.

Following the drum, his low but firm, thick tone pierced the ears of everyone in the recording studio.

In an instant, the movements of the foreigners sitting in front of the recording equipment stopped.

“Huh?”

“Wait a minute.”

And Cara’s arm was covered in goosebumps.

‘His tone… is so good? It’s like it’s not even my song.’

With just one verse, Kang Woo-jin had everyone in the recording studio focused, and while everyone watched, ‘Absolute’ went straight to the chorus.

-♬♪

Unlike the beginning, the intense drums and violin, as well as Kang Woo-jin’s slightly rough vocals, mixed together and reached a climax. The more it did, the more his tone was filled with appeal and emotion. There was no way that Cara, the original singer, wouldn’t know this.

‘It’s not just his vocals. How can he infuse such emotion into a cover song?’

The message embedded in ‘Absolute’ was freedom. Cara, who was also an actress, sang this song with a mix of despair. That’s why it gradually mixed with hopeful strength.

But right now, that Korean actor was angry from beginning to end.

He was full of dissatisfaction. That was his vocal style.

Naturally, Woo-jin’s expression gradually mixed with anger. Naturally, that intensity mixed into his vocals, and the song also changed according to Kang Woo-jin’s adjustments.

‘The density of emotion…’

It was at a level she had never seen before. Moreover, it wasn’t even his own song, but a cover song? The blonde Cara stopped moving and was purely captivated by him, by Kang Woo-jin. It wasn’t his appearance, but Woo-jin’s energy that was drawing her in.

Miley Cara was involuntarily amazed.

‘What! The cover video didn’t even capture half of it!’

Even according to the theme of the ‘Kang Woo-jin Sub-Character’ channel.

‘A hobby?? This, what kind of hobby is this?!’

For Kang Woo-jin, vocals weren’t even his ‘main character’.